The Central Bank of Gambia has launched an investigation into a multi-million dalasi corruption case involving staff of the bank. 

The bank launched the probe after an online newspaper report made damning corruption accusations against staff relating to multimillion dalasi bank notes. 

In a statement the bank said it received allegations that “badly damaged bank notes amounting to D155 million were handed over to the concerned staff to change into new notes. 

“It is also alleged that the concerned staff requested for the money to be brought to the Central Bank and he asked for the payment of demurrage of D310,000. 

“It was further alleged that the concerned staff subsequently requested for various sums of money amounting to a total of D11,100,000 (11 million dalasis) on behalf of certain individuals who would facilitate the arrangement to change the money into new notes.

“It is finally alleged in the said letter that after all these sums of money were paid to the concerned staff, but he failed to issue the new notes as he promised and as such, a demand for the return of the said amount of D155,000,000 (155 million dalasis) and D11,100,000 (11 million dalasis) was  made.”

The bank said it is investigating the corruption allegations and will take appropriate actions.

It said the staff that was named in the corruption allegations has denied any involvement.

It also stated that some of the issues raised in the corruption allegation letter were inaccurate.

“Some of the individuals named in the said letter are not known to the Bank, nor does the Central Bank have 9 dedicated night security guards as indicated therein. 

“It should be noted that an amount of D155 million could not have been brought to the Central Bank without the knowledge of any other individual apart form the staff concerned. Besides, the said staff was not posted at the Currency Department during the period of March 2021,” the bank said

Reporting by Adama Makasuba